Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to study the scientific developments behind the announcement of a sensor mimicking the human skin.Design/methodology/approach – A brief review of the potential applications and design constraints of the robot skin is followed by an examination of published papers that trace its development.Findings – When sensors are embedded in an elastic matrix, connecting wires and mechanical attachments undermine the mechanical properties of that matrix. Progressive miniaturisation of the sensing devices, and ingenious methods of supplying power and communicating data, have gradually overcome this problem.Originality/value – The paper reveals the integration of innovative sensing, signal processing and power‐supply technologies.
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